09-11-2013, 05:17 PM
At the risk of sounding like the tree hugger crashing your thread, I'd just remind everyone to PLEASE keep it to WATCHING the spawning Koke's, tread lightly, and let them do their business.
I'm in Alpine and have watched the Big Elk Creek koke run seriously decline over the years. 10 years ago, even though it was illegal, there was a constant group of shameless snaggers hiding in the trees. Even though some signs have been put up around the parking area, I still see snaggers every year. Pali
es is now at 5% capacity and dropping (which is the biggest joke of all, we sportsmen should demand a higher minimum) so I agree, the spawn will be extra light this year with many fish getting stuck in the main lake and being unable to spawn at all. They are already getting nailed by the birds and other creatures, and they're not even good eating while in spawning mode.
They can even be caught by hand but probably not without stepping on the redd the fish is there guarding and destroying many of those eggs chance at hatching.
I love to catch and eat Koke's when they're silver and healthy, but remember that when they're pink and in the river, that they're using their last gasps of life to give us the next crop.
PLEASE just give them a break and don't catch, touch, chase, or otherwise molest them in any way.
Just stay back a ways and enjoy the spectacle nature is putting on for us..
(yeah, sorry, that DOES sound pretty tree huggy!!! I feel like I'd better go sight in my deer rifle before dreadlocks start shooting out of my skull!!!)
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I'm in Alpine and have watched the Big Elk Creek koke run seriously decline over the years. 10 years ago, even though it was illegal, there was a constant group of shameless snaggers hiding in the trees. Even though some signs have been put up around the parking area, I still see snaggers every year. Pali
es is now at 5% capacity and dropping (which is the biggest joke of all, we sportsmen should demand a higher minimum) so I agree, the spawn will be extra light this year with many fish getting stuck in the main lake and being unable to spawn at all. They are already getting nailed by the birds and other creatures, and they're not even good eating while in spawning mode.They can even be caught by hand but probably not without stepping on the redd the fish is there guarding and destroying many of those eggs chance at hatching.
I love to catch and eat Koke's when they're silver and healthy, but remember that when they're pink and in the river, that they're using their last gasps of life to give us the next crop.
PLEASE just give them a break and don't catch, touch, chase, or otherwise molest them in any way.
Just stay back a ways and enjoy the spectacle nature is putting on for us..
(yeah, sorry, that DOES sound pretty tree huggy!!! I feel like I'd better go sight in my deer rifle before dreadlocks start shooting out of my skull!!!)
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